Illawarra flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius): colours, meaning, where it grows and when it blooms

The Illawarra flame tree is a large deciduous tree native to the east coast of Australia, known for its striking red flowers that appear when the tree is leafless. It is grown widely as an ornamental tree and its seeds have been eaten by Indigenous Australians after removing their irritating hairs.

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Produces masses of bright red flowers when leafless
Native to rainforests along Australia's east coast
Seeds are edible after removing irritating hairs
Supports local butterflies and birds
Popular as a street and garden tree

What does Illawarra flame tree look like?

The Illawarra flame tree is a tall, pyramidal tree that can reach up to 35 metres in its natural setting, though it is usually smaller when cultivated. Its trunk is smooth and greenish, tapering upwards. The leaves are glossy, green, and can vary in shape, sometimes lobed or simple. When in bloom, the tree is covered with clusters of vivid red, bell-shaped flowers, each about 2.5 to 3 cm long. The flowers are followed by leathery, boat-shaped pods containing yellow seeds surrounded by papery, irritating hairs.

Where does Illawarra flame tree come from?

This tree is native to the rainforests and drier forests along the east coast of Australia, from southern New South Wales up to far northern Queensland, including Cape York Peninsula. It grows from sea level to elevations of about 1,000 metres. The species was first described in 1855 and has a name that refers to its maple-like leaves. Over time, it has been classified under different genera, but is now placed in Brachychiton within the Malvaceae family.

When and how Illawarra flame tree blooms

The Illawarra flame tree loses its leaves just before flowering, which makes the red blossoms stand out even more. It is grown from seed, cuttings, or by grafting, and is popular in parks, gardens, and along streets. The tree adapts well to cultivation and is easy to propagate. In its native area, it flowers in spring, and the pods ripen from May to August in Australia.

How Illawarra flame tree is used

People plant this tree mainly for its showy flowers, which make it a favourite in public spaces and gardens. Indigenous Australians have traditionally eaten the seeds after carefully removing the hairs that can irritate the skin. The tree is also important for wildlife, serving as food for birds and butterflies.

Kinds of Illawarra flame tree

Other trees in the Brachychiton genus are also called kurrajong, but the Illawarra flame tree is best known for its bright red flowers. Its scientific name has sometimes been spelled differently, but Brachychiton acerifolius is now the accepted form.

What Illawarra flame tree means

The Illawarra flame tree is a well-known ornamental tree in Australia and is valued for its spectacular flowering. Its seeds have been a traditional food for Indigenous Australians. The tree also supports several butterfly species and birds that feed on its seeds.

Questions people ask about Illawarra flame tree

Where does the Illawarra flame tree come from?

It is native to the coastal rainforests and some drier forests of eastern Australia, from southern New South Wales to far northern Queensland, including areas from sea level up to 1,000 metres.

What does the Illawarra flame tree look like?

It is a tall tree with a smooth, greenish trunk and glossy, variable leaves. In spring, it loses its leaves and produces clusters of bright red, bell-shaped flowers that cover the branches.

How are the seeds used?

Indigenous Australians have eaten the seeds raw or roasted after removing the stiff, irritating hairs that cover them. The seeds are nutritious, containing protein, fat, zinc, and magnesium.

Is the Illawarra flame tree important for wildlife?

Yes, it serves as a host plant for several butterfly species and its seeds are eaten by birds such as king parrots and bowerbirds.

What is the tree used for today?

It is widely planted as an ornamental tree in parks, gardens, and along streets for its striking red flowers.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Brachychiton acerifolius", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Eucalyptus: Ethel Aardvark, CC BY 3.0, source

Almond: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Mallow: Luis Fernández García, CC BY-SA 2.5 es, source

Rosemary: Miguel Angel Masegosa Martínez, CC BY 2.0, source

Linden: Bruce Marlin, CC BY 3.0, source

Hibiscus: Marshman at en.wikipedia / Eric Guinther, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Fennel: Elekes Andor, CC BY 4.0, source

Small-leaved Lime: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Illawarra flame tree